WOOing the Mekong Delta

Diana Truong

One of the most fascinating regions in Southeast Asia, the mighty Mekong Delta runs a length of 4,350km through six countries. It begins in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains and makes its way from China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia before flowing through Vietnam. The mighty river fractures into hundreds of rivulets, channels, and distributaries that make up the Mekong Delta before emptying into the East Sea.

This unique area has been dubbed a “biological treasure trove.” Covering an astonishing 40,500 square kilometers, the Mekong Delta houses plant life, fish, lizards, and mammals of greater diversity than almost anywhere else in Southeast Asia.

This rice bowl of Vietnam is home to 17 million people, some of who are the poorest in the country. Life is tough in the Mekong. Farmers work from dawn until dusk, tediously tending to their rice crops. Fishermen and women, who make up the second largest workforce here, eke out a meager living from their trade. The weather is either hot and dry or hot and wet. There is no respite from the tropical heat, which is stifling most often than not.

One trade that has seen a resurgence in recent years is beekeeping. Bees have been reducing in numbers across the globe at an alarming rate, mainly due to human intervention. In the Mekong Delta, however, the number of bees is increasing. This is good news for everyone, as evidence suggests that if bees were to die out, human life would become unsustainable.

We at Worlds of Opportunities work with the beekeepers of the Mekong Delta. WOO sources beeswax for our luxury candles from the region, which provides much needed employment, helps sustain families and keeps the bee population thriving. As our luxury brand grows, these numbers grow.

Providing luxury. Creating jobs. Protecting the ecosystem. This is the WOO way.